Ever made a pit stop at the bucket-list worthy Galeries Lafayette in Paris? We certainly have, and it's a must-visit, regardless of whether you’re looking to shop or not. Situated on Boulevard Haussman, this 125-year-old luxury departmental store is home to hundreds of brands that offer not just couture but also ready-to-wear options. The art nouveau-style architecture of the building is a sight to behold, with the restaurant and bar located in the dome area that offers panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower, the Montparnasse Tower, Invalides, and Opera Garnier. Galeries Lafayette has grown to become Europe’s biggest departmental store chain, with over 290 stores worldwide. And now, they’re set to adding two more to the roster, with new stores opening in Mumbai and Delhi as well as a dedicated e-commerce site launching in India.
Which brands would be a part of Galeries Lafayette India?
The Aditya Birla Group has partnered with the Parisian departmental store brand and on Thursday, announced the opening of its stores in Mumbai and Delhi by 2025. These flagship stores will reportedly comprise over 200 luxury and designer brands under one roof. Since the Indian conglomerate is already the country’s largest multi-brand retailer of International global brands under the Collective, expect to see brands like Ted Baker, Fred Perry, Ralph Lauren, Hackett, American Eagle, Reebok and Forever 21 to find their place in the upcoming departmental stores. When it comes to Indian designer brands, the group has strategic partnerships with leading Indian designers like Sabyasachi, Tarun Tahiliani, Shantanu And Nikhil as well as House of Masaba. However, it remains to be seen if their boutiques will be a part of their upcoming stores.
Additionally, Indian brands owned by Aditya Birla like Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, Peter England and Pantaloons will also most likely be a part of the upcoming stores. “We’re still in the process of onboarding several International brands and will be announcing them when the papers have been signed,” an official from the Aditya Birla Group told Vogue.
Where will the Mumbai store be located?
As per the statement released by the Aditya Birla Group, the 90,000 square feet flagship store in Mumbai will be situated across two centenarian heritage buildings in the heart of Fort, the up-and-coming hub for high-end designer stores in the city. The building is currently being designed by the architectural firm, Virgile & Partners, who have gained a reputation for their extensive work on departmental stores globally. The Mumbai flagship store of Galeries Lafayette is set to open doors in 2024.
Where will the Delhi store be located?
As far as the capital goes, Lafayette’s flagship store is set to be located at no other than Delhi’s opulent shopping hub, DLF Emporio, which is also one of the largest luxury malls in the country. The store will spread across a staggering 65,000 feet and cater well to the mall’s clientele by showcasing young and exciting designer brands across various categories. The store is expected to be operational in 2025.
Mr Ashish Dikshit, the Managing Director of Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail limited said, “This is a coming-of-age moment for Indian luxury. India is now home to a generation of young and affluent consumers with global exposure, who are willing to spend on the finer things in life. This is visible in the boom and dynamism of the luxury market. The partnership with Galeries Lafayette is a ringing endorsement of India’s significance as a global luxury market and a future engine of growth for luxury brands.”
While, Mr Nicolas Houzé, the CEO of Galeries Lafayette and BHV Marais commented, “We are proud to expand our international footprint in such a prestigious and refined market as India, where we believe our brand can benefit from a strong potential. It is also a new illustration of our ambition to reach 20 stores abroad, with a primary focus on China, Asia and the Middle East by 2025. We are very pleased to be working with Aditya Birla Group on this project, with whom we share the same values and vision on retail, and are convinced that they are the right partner to enable us to meet the expectations of Indian customers.”
Visiting Galeries Lafayette in Paris is always a unique experience, given that it’s so much more than just a shopping mall. The same environment is expected to be delivered from the Indian counterparts, with personal stylists, installations, pop ups, innovative events, food and beverage explorations being held, that are the perfect amalgamation of design, entertainment, technology and engagement.
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